Pereskia
Common Name(s):
- Description
-
The rose cactus is a Genus of tropical cacti in the Cactaceae family with various forms ranging from a hedge, houseplant, shrub, and vine. It originated in Brazil. There are approximately twenty species that are native to the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. It is found in dry forests in its native habitat. The genus name, Pereskia, honors the French naturalist, Nicholas Claude Fabre de Peirese.
It prefers moist, well-drained soil in full sun or part shade and is drought tolerant. The flowers are ¾ to 3 inches in diameter and look similar to a wild rose. Most species are cultivated for their rose-like fragrant flowers and edible fruit. The leaves will drop if the temperatures are below 50 degrees F.
Some species can be grown in containers with direct sunlight and a well-drained potting medium. The rose cactus may require regular pruning if it is a houseplant. It should be watered regularly in a container when it is growing and has leaves.
The rose cacti have spines and floral cups like other cacti. However, they are the only cacti with persistent non-succulent leaves. Many scientists believe the rose cactus is the ancestor of the Cactaceae family, and other cacti lost their leaves as they adapted to dry conditions. It can be propagated from seed or fresh stem cuttings planted in soil. It can also be rooted in water.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Spines
VIDEO Created by Laura Barth for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti", a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Pereskia
- Family:
- Cactaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Venezuela, Paraguay
- Edibility:
- The leaves are edible and some species have edible fruit.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Houseplant
- Shrub
- Succulent
- Tree
- Vine
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Coarse
- Appendage:
- Spines
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
-
-
Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- Some species produce edible fruit. The fruit is yellow and pear-shaped like most cacti.
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Petals:
- 7 - 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- The many-stamened flowers can come in many colors depending on the species.
-
-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Fleshy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Lanceolate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Despite being a cactus, this plant grows true leaves. They are simple and entire, growing from areoles along with sharp spines. The leaves are edible.
-
-
Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Brown
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Smooth
- Bark Description:
- Older stems grow a smooth bark.
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Newer growth is green with no spines while older growth grows bark and sharp spines from areoles.
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Humidity
- Problems:
- Spines/Thorns
